If you plan on taking an outdoor trip, make sure you bring all of the essential things to ensure a smoother trip. Usually, you need a tent to sleep in to protect you when the weather gets bad and a mini stove to cook your canned foods. And when it is time to hit the hay, you need to have a sleeping bag with you.
During the planning stages of your outdoor trip, never forget to look for sleeping bags because you do not want your back on the ground filled with ants, spiders, and other insects that could harm you. If you are new to purchasing a sleeping bag, you can follow several helpful tips to ensure you get the right one.
Tip #1: Check the Sleeping Bag’s Temperature Rating
For example, while gearing up for Mount Kilimanjaro, prioritize the right sleeping bag. Check the temperature rating, ensuring it matches the expected cold conditions. Remember, the rating assumes a sleeping pad underneath; this combo enhances warmth and protects against rough terrain. Explore Kilimanjaro Climbing Packages, often including essential gear, guides, and permits, ensuring a well-prepared and unforgettable ascent to Africa’s highest peak.
The first tip when choosing a sleeping bag is to know its temperature rating. It helps identify the lowest temperature the bag can keep you warm while sleeping. Remember that choosing a sleeping bag with the lowest temperature rating is better since you can always open up the bag if you feel hot.
You also have to remember that the sleeping bag’s temperature rating is created with the expectation that you are using a sleeping pad underneath. If you have no sleeping pad, you may feel as if the bag is not keeping you warm enough during cold weather. Never forget the sleeping pad because not only it keeps you warm, but it also protects your back from directly coming into contact with the sharp rocks and sticks on the ground.
Tip #2: Choosing Between Down and Synthetic Material
Another tip when looking for sleeping bags is knowing what type of material it is made of. There are two available materials that you can get in a sleeping bag; down and synthetic. A down sleeping bag is made with feathers from geese or ducks, while a synthetic sleeping bag is an artificial material derived from poly-fibres.
A sleeping bag made of down material provides excellent heat retention, a wider comfort temperature range, and an easy-to-keep feature since the material does not thicken when rolled. It is the best sleeping bag material if you are only going on a single day outdoor trip.
As for synthetic material, it is best when you are going to sleep on a damp surface as it prevents unwanted material and organisms from passing through the material. And if you want something that will not hurt your pockets and is easy to clean, the synthetic material sleeping bag is an ideal choice.
Tip #4: Determine the Sleeping Bag’s Shape, Size, and Weight
You can find at least three variations of the sleeping bag to choose from; regular, mummy, and long length.
- Regular Sleeping Bag
It is a basic rectangular sleeping bag with a zipper on both sides. They also have more room than a mummy sleeping bag, and you can also turn it into a blanket.
- Mummy Sleeping Bag
The mummy sleeping bag tapers towards the feet, making it more fitted than the regular one. It also has a hood to keep yourself warm when the weather is cold.
- Long Length Sleeping Bag
If you do not want to feel as if the sleeping bag is small in length, consider getting a long length sleeping bag instead. They are ideal for people who are six feet in height.
Do not forget the different tips mentioned above if you want to get the perfect sleeping bag for your next outdoor trip.